A LOOK AT THE ADVENT BANNERS UP FRONT:
The advent wreath with the Advent candles is a common feature in most churches. It is nice to see that a good number of parishioners have taken one home. That serves as an effective reminder that Advent and what it stands for does not remain locked up in the church building. Instead, we want it to be part of our Christian life which we live for the greatest part outside the church building.

We also have two Advent banners in the front. Both of them depict some of the major figures in the Church and Advent season.

The one on your left depicts “Hagia Sophia”, Lady Wisdom at the center. She is surrounded by four Old Testament prophets from which the first Scripture readings are taken in the Mass. Lady Wisdom inspires the prophets to articulate in striking images what the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus is coming for. The Advent season intends to strengthen our hope for the coming of Jesus Christ and especially for what he is coming for: God’s gift of peace, justice, reconciliation, renewal of humanity, things that are still far from being realized.

The banner on your right holds an image of Mary; the Holy Spirit hovers over her and thus she conceives the Saviour of the world. If there is one who knows what it is to wait and to live Advent, it is obviously Mary.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY:
Mary is one of the principal Advent figures. We honour her and let ourselves be inspired by her so that she may teach us to become Advent people.

We’ll do so by means of some reflections on Mary interspersed with some Marian hymns from our Hymnal. That service will start at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday , and will take about 40 minutes.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION IN PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS:
There are several ways of preparing for Christmas. Observing the Advent season is a uniquely Christian way of doing so. As we get closer to Christmas we may want to give the encounter with Christ in the sacrament of Reconciliation a special place in our getting ready for Christmas. We can do so in two ways:

THE ADVENT PENITIENTIAL SERVICE
Sunday, December 18, 7; 30 p.m.
This is the Communal Way of celebrating what God offers us in Jesus: forgiveness of sins.

The communal celebration mentioned above does not exclude the possibility or desirability of wanting to celebrate the same saving mystery in a more personal and individual way. The one does not cancel out the other.

TIMES FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES AND FOR NEW YEAR’S:
It is relatively easy this year as Christmas and New Year’s fall on a Sunday:

Date

Day

Time

Location

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve

6:45 P.M.

O.L.V.

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve

9:30 P.M.

St. Malachy

Dec. 25

Christmas Day

9:00 A.M.

O.L.V.

Dec. 31

New Year's Eve

7:00 P.M.

St. Malachy

Jan. 01

New Year's Day

9:00 A.M.

O.L.V.

BAPTISM IN JESUS’ NAME (9):
Is there such a thing as a church-less baptism or being Christian-without-church-ties? That is an awkward way of putting it. What I am referring to is a phenomenon that pastorally we struggle with today. I know we have to tread here carefully and what is being said here has nothing to do with passing judgment on anyone. But we face here a real challenge today.

It has to do with the fact that most parents who request baptism for their children to-day have no ties with the Church. And they have no intention of developing ties with the Church after baptism either. It is not a question of ill will. For many, participation in church life is no longer seen as an integral part of the Christian faith experience. At the most it is optional; it is a nice thing to engage in occasionally, but certainly not on a regular basis.

That is a tough one to handle. Being baptized in Jesus’ name makes us be united with Jesus Christ or makes us be clothed with Jesus Christ. But that includes becoming members of Christ’s Body, the Church or a member of God’s holy people. And that is not a vaguely spiritual matter. Rather it becomes concrete in our membership in an actual real parish community and in engaging in its life. The Evangelist John conveys that in the beautiful image of Jesus Christ being the Vine and we the branches. The Apostle Paul prefers to work with the notion that we are members of Christ’s Body.

Many seem to have developed a serious allergy when it comes to Church membership. It is hard to find a cure for it. And yet, Baptism without any church affiliation is such an anomaly! Where will our Christian faith life be expressed and nourished? A personal reading of the Bible is a good thing, for example. But the Bible is at its best when proclaimed in the Church’s liturgy. What happens when we hardly ever get exposed to that?

THE DISPLAY AT THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH:
As you and your family read the newspapers, please cut out headlines which remind you that, indeed, we are eagerly waiting in hope for the coming of Jesus. There are still so many things happening in this world that show just how much we need his help! Bring these clippings to church and pin them on the display at the entrance.

WARDENS NEEDED:
Two new wardens are needed for the next term beginning in January 2006. Please contact Susan Lemieux at 281-5487 or the rectory at 986-3763 if you wish to volunteer to become a warden. If necessary, elections will take place in December to choose the wardens.